BG Parliament adopts declaration on N Macedonia, Albania EU accession talks

Bulgaria’s Parliament on October 10 voted to approve a declaration, which supports the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. The MPs approved the framework position put forward by the government. It sets out a number of conditions on the two countries.

The declaration was approved by 129 votes in favour, 4 against and one abstention.

The opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) expressed displeasure that Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva was not present in the Parliament.

BSP MP Valeri Zablyanov described the Agreement of Friendship and Good Neighbourly Relations with North Macedonia as weak and demanded Zaharieva's resignation. The MPs from the parties of the ruling coalition defended the agreement and defined the cabinet’s framework position as good.